Category: Uncategorised

Deuteronomy 17 to 18:8; Obadiah; Luke 11:14-36

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Phil. 4:13 NKJV

This verse is familiar to many but often taken out of context and applied to many circumstances. The immediate context has to do with contentment. Paul has just mentioned two contrasting conditions, having plenty and suffering need. It is often human nature to want more material wealth and goods. Paul states that in either condition he learned to be content. This is where the strength that Christ gives comes into operation; we can be content even in materialistic cultures because He gives us the strength. It becomes a matter of focus and attitude, content within His care. —Gary McBride

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace. —H. Lemmel

Deuteronomy 16; Song of Solomon 6:10 to 8:14; Luke 11:1-13

For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. Romans 5:15

Life’s experiences test our patience, but are often opportunities for spiritual growth that work to bring us to maturity. This process brings joy that doesn’t depend on comfortable circumstances. God’s grace changes potential weakness into strength that builds character, trust in God and confidence for the future. Adverse circumstances produce strong faith. Strong faith produces grace in the soul. Grace in the soul produces glory for God. —Gaius C. Goff

Fear not that thy need shall exceed His provision,
Our God ever yearns His resources to share;
Lean hard on the arm everlasting, availing;
The Father both thee and thy load will upbear. —Annie Johnson Flint

Deuteronomy 14:22-15:23; Song of Solomon 5:2-6:9; Luke 10:25-42

For this is all my salvation and all my desire. 2 Sam. 23:5 NKJV

Do our hearts not rejoice as we read these words of David, spoken as his life was ending? For indeed, all our salvation and all our desire is encompassed in our Lord Jesus Christ. He is indeed “all and in all” (Col. 3:11) and in Him we are complete (Col. 2:10). What is missing in your life today? You can find all rest, peace, comfort, strength, endurance and joy in Jesus Christ. Through Him, God has given us “all things that pertain to life and godliness”
(2 Peter 1:3). —Annette Baal

With such a blessed hope in view,
We would more holy be,
More like our risen, glorious Lord,
Whose face we soon shall see.  —Robert Boswell

Deuteronomy 13:1-14:21; Song of Solomon 3:6-5:1; Luke 10:1-24

And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” Luke 2:49 NKJV 

Our Lord’s first recorded words are two questions. At 12 years old He respectfully asked them to Joseph and His mother after they found Him in the temple. Inherent in these questions was a proclamation that He was God’s Son and that He had come into the world to do His Heavenly Father’s will. This led to the cross where His last words announced His finished work, committing His Spirit into His Father’s care until His glorious resurrection.
Worship Him for His completed work today! —George Ferrier

As Lamb of God, Thy path we view,
Thy Father’s will, Thy whole delight;
To Calvary we trace Thy way,
Each step of Thine, with glory bright. —Inglis Fleming

Deuteronomy 12:1-32; Song of Solomon 2:8-3:5; Luke 9:37-62

You have kept the good wine until now! John 2:10 NKJV

Dear reader, do you think that surrendering to Jesus is going to doom you to a life of boredom? There’s an important lesson for you in this first miracle Jesus performed. Typically, the “best” wine was served at the beginning of wedding receptions in Jesus’s day (see vv. 9-10). Yet what Jesus provided at the end was better than their very best. Life application: Don’t be fooled into thinking this world can make you happy. What Jesus offers is better than the best
this world has to offer. The world promises happiness, but it’s only temporary and leaves the bitter aftertaste of shame and regret. “The blessing of the Lord,” however, “makes one [spiritually and eternally] rich, and He adds no sorrow with it” (Prov. 10:22). —Brian Cretney

Blessings abound where’er He reigns: the prisoners leap to lose their chains,
The weary find eternal rest, and all who suffer want are blest. —Isaac Watts

Deuteronomy 10:12-11:32; Song of Solomon 1:1-2:7; Luke 9:18-36

Let us run with [endurance] the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. Hebrews 12:1-2

This was Amir’s moment of glory as he sprinted along the track.  Spectators cheered wildly; his success was obvious from their perspective. With the finish line a breath away, Amir could not resist a glance back at his competitors. He stumbled and fell. From the ground, Amir watched his victory vanish as others breezed past.  What distractions are luring you to look around? What disappointments are dragging your thoughts back? Your perspective today is
your choice. Pause and look by faith to Jesus who ensures spiritual victory, despite the distractions and discouragements of life.  —Caroline Webb

O may all who come behind us find us faithful;
May the fire of our devotion light their way. —Jon Mohr

Deuteronomy 9:1-10:11; Ecclesiastes 11:1-12:14; Luke 9:1-17

By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. Hebrews 11:20

Why is this event recorded as an example of faith? Is it not that Isaac had full confidence that God would fulfill the blessings that he pronounced upon his sons? Similar to when Elijah confronted the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18:24), Isaac was casting himself in dependence on the Lord and trusting that He would bring to pass the future according to his (Isaac’s) word. You too can trust an uncertain future to a faithful God. —Warren Hagey

When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.  —John H. Sammis

Deuteronomy 7:12-8:20; Ecclesiastes 9:11-10:20; Luke 8:40-56

Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion forever. Ps. 73:25-26

What a rebuke this psalm is to us! How often we feel like this when we see the wealth and attainments that others possess. But in the light of eternity these things are as nothing. Wealth and possessions cannot take the place of loving family relationships and the fellowship of other believers. So often these wealthy people’s personal lives are in great turmoil as well. And their eternal future is without hope. How thankful we are that we have Him. —Gwenyth Frear

Lead me to the Rock so high;
You are my shelter and my tower,
I’ll trust beneath Your wings of power. —G. F.

Deuteronomy 6:1-7:11; Ecclesiastes 8:1-9:10; Luke 8:22-39

And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. Luke 1:6

Zacharias and Elizabeth were righteous, obedient to the Lord and blameless. Yet their prayer (v. 13) seemed fruitless and now looked impossible (v. 7). But God did answer, and His timing was paramount. At just the right moment, an angel was sent to tell them that the answer was coming. What an encouragement to us, to never give up praying and waiting on God’s timing for the answer. —K. J. W.

Unanswered yet the prayer your lips have pleaded,
In agony of heart these many years?
Does faith begin to fail? Is hope departing?
And think you all in vain those falling tears?
Say not the Father hath not heard your prayer;
You shall have your desire sometime, somewhere. —Ophelia G. Browning

Deuteronomy 5:1-33; Ecclesiastes 7:1-29; Luke 8:1-21

But remember me (Joseph) when it is well with you…I have done nothing here that they should put me into the [pit].
Genesis 40:14-15 NKJV 

It is often in the “pit” experiences of life that God works to mold our character and bend our will to conform us to the image of Jesus Christ. In the pit, we have nowhere to look but up, and we learn that God is enough. The pit wasn’t Joseph’s choice, but it was here that God worked in him, to prepare him for Kingdom service. If we let Him, God can use our “pit experiences” to do the same for us. —Deborah Manera

God is looking for people through whom He can do the impossible.
What a pity that we plan only things we can do by ourselves.  —A. W. Tozer